A small bathroom is the room most people remodel first, and it is also where costs surprise people most. Even a 5x8 foot hall bath has plumbing, tile, ventilation, lighting and waterproofing packed into 40 square feet, so the price per square foot is high.
Most homeowners spend $6,000 to $25,000 on a small bathroom remodel, depending on finishes and whether the layout changes. To price your own bathroom by size and finish level, try the bathroom remodel cost calculator.
Small bathroom remodel cost by level
| Level | Typical cost (5x8 bath) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget refresh | $6,000 to $12,000 | New vanity, toilet, fixtures, paint, tub refinish or acrylic surround, vinyl or basic tile floor |
| Midrange | $12,000 to $20,000 | Tile tub or shower surround, new tub, ceramic or porcelain floor, new fan and lighting |
| High end | $20,000 to $25,000+ | Walk in tile shower with glass door, custom vanity, stone tops, heated floor, layout changes |
Where the money goes
On a typical midrange job, the budget splits roughly like this: labor 40 to 50 percent, tile and flooring 15 to 20 percent, vanity and countertop 10 to 15 percent, tub or shower 10 to 15 percent, plumbing fixtures 5 to 10 percent, and lighting, fan and electrical about 5 percent. Permits and design usually add a few hundred dollars to a couple of thousand.
Costs people forget
- Hidden water damage. Once the old tub or tile comes out, rotten subfloor or mold behind the wall is common. Set aside 10 to 15 percent for surprises. If mold shows up, our mold remediation cost calculator helps you price it.
- Old pipes. Galvanized steel or polybutylene lines are cheapest to replace while the walls are open. See the signs you need to repipe your house, and the house repiping cost calculator if the whole house needs it.
- Ventilation. A fan that is vented to the outside, not into the attic, protects your new finishes. Our guide to attic mold remediation cost shows why this matters.
- Electrical updates. GFCI outlets and dedicated circuits are often required by code during a remodel.
Ways to save on a small bathroom
- Keep the toilet, sink and shower in the same spots.
- Refinish or reglaze a tub that is in good shape instead of replacing it.
- Use large format porcelain tile; fewer grout lines means less labor.
- Buy a stock vanity rather than a custom one.
- Spend on waterproofing and the shower valve, and save on accessories you can easily change later.
Price your bathroom
Enter your bathroom size, finish level and whether you are changing the layout in the bathroom remodel cost calculator. It gives you a realistic range to bring to contractors, so you can tell a fair bid from an inflated one.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a small bathroom remodel cost?
A typical 5x8 bathroom costs $6,000 to $12,000 for a budget refresh, $12,000 to $20,000 for a midrange remodel, and $20,000 to $25,000 or more for high end finishes.
What is the most expensive part of a bathroom remodel?
Labor is usually the largest share, often 40 to 50 percent. Tile work and moving plumbing are the most labor heavy tasks.
How long does a small bathroom remodel take?
Most take 2 to 4 weeks once work starts. Custom vanities, special order tile and inspections can add time.
Can I save money by keeping the layout?
Yes. Keeping the toilet, shower and sink where they are avoids moving drains and supply lines, which can save $1,500 to $5,000.
Costs are 2026 national estimates for planning only. Your price depends on your home, your area and the contractor. See how we estimate.